TUCSON, Ariz. — Colon Cancer survivors gathered at the week long CologuardClassic golf tournament to spread awareness about Colon Cancer screenings.
Kimberly Newcomer describes the moment she was diagnosed with stage four Colon Cancer as "a complete shock".
"With Mets to my lung and liver, I was given 6 months to live," Newcomer said.
Ten years later and five years cancer-free, she's working with Colorectal Cancer Alliance to educate people on the importance of Colon Cancer screenings.
She's one of many survivors who were part of spreading awareness at this year's Cologuard Classic.
This is part of the partnership between Cologuard, a noninvasive home Colon Cancer Screening test, and the Tucson Conquistadors at the gold tournament.
"This tournament is about so much more than golf. It's about celebrating life and taking control of your own health," CEO of Exact Sciences Kevin Conroy said.
This is the second year the two have partnered for this professional golf tournament, and Cologuard is already planning to come back next year.
"It's a whole new dynamic to the tournament," Rob Draper, President of the Tucson Conquistadors. "Lots of folks out here who are colon cancer survivors. It's like an outdoor classroom for learning about colon cancer awareness."
Colon Cancer can be deadly if it progresses to later stages, but if caught at an early state, it's curable.
The American Cancer Society statistics show 90 percent of people survive early stage Colon Cancer.
Newcomer and other survivors hope their stories can encourage others to get Colon Cancer Screenings.
"If you feel like somethings off, be your own best advocate," Newcomer said.
